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February 2014

Most people who seek out LASIK surgery do so because they are looking for a means to make their routine less complicated and to enjoy the activities they love to the fullest extent. We recently saw this sentiment expressed on a world-wide scale by world cup Alpine ski racer Bode Miller, in a USA Today interview following his Olympic downhill run during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Miller pointed to a lack of visual acuity during his disappointing downhill performance. The cloud cover created a flat light condition in which it is harder for the racers, especially at high speeds, to read the upcoming terrain. The five-time Olympic medalist finished eighth in the race, which he had hoped would signal his return to the top of the alpine ski world at age 36.

“I was supposed to get an eye surgery earlier this year,” Miller said. “We just never found a time to do it because the race schedule was so tight. We were pretty [upset] looking back that we hadn’t found a time to do that. For me, my vision is critical. When the light’s perfect, I can ski with any of the best guys in the world. When it goes out, my particular style suffers more than the guys who are more stable and don’t do as much in the middle of the turn.”

Don’t live with regret. . . if LASIK surgery was or is a dream of yours, contact us at 732-774-5566 x239 to schedule an evaluation that will determine if you are a candidate. Attain your full potential, and seize your opportunity to become less dependent on glasses and/or contacts.

If you have been watching the prime time coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, you are probably aware of Bob Costas’ epic run-in with an eye infection.

On Friday, February 7th, just as the NBC news anchor’s battle was beginning, it was broadcast for all the world to see. According to the Washington Times, Costas had been wearing glasses since the start of the Sochi Olympics due to an infection in his left eye. His eye appeared swollen, pink, irritated, and painful during the early broadcast, and got progressively worse from there. His condition garnered so much attention that it actually spawned its own Twitter account. Social media exploded with a wide range of comments.

Costas told the New York Times that the problem first started on Thursday, February 6th. “You hear it called pinkeye or conjunctivitis, but, as a practical matter, I haven’t had it before. You have swelling and stinging and burning and eventually tearing,” Costas told the New York Times.

He endured for several days. On Monday’s broadcast, it became clear that the infection had spread to his other eye and, when he woke up Tuesday, both eyes were swollen and crusted shut.

His painful condition temporarily removed him from the anchor chair, a position that he had consistently filled since the late ’80s. “I don’t feel that bad,” Costas insisted. “The irony of it is, we’ve all felt bad — worse than I feel right now — and gone to work. We’re lucky to have the jobs we have. I’ve done a lot of ballgames and events feeling much less than my best. But in this case, it’s involuntary. It’s an eye infection, and my eyes are so blurry and watery, and have become so light sensitive, that even in dim light they’re constantly tearing up. And so, I can’t possibly be in the studio. It’s not a case of just saying ‘Oh, what the heck — I’ll go in, not feeling well’.”

Matt Lauer stepped in for Costas and could not hide his exhaustion from doing double duty for three days. Meredith Vieira made history by replacing Lauer and becoming the first woman to ever anchor NBC’s prime time Olympic coverage solo. NBC Olympics Executive Producer Jim Bell explained to TODAY.com from Sochi: “Bob’s eye issue has improved but he’s not quite ready to do the show. If your eyes are sensitive to bright lights, a TV studio is not the place to be.”

CBS reporter, Ryan Jaslow, reported that Costas said he had a viral infection. “If it was just discomfort, I’d be there,” Costas said in the news release. “I’m receiving excellent treatment…it’s a viral infection, and all you can do is try to manage the symptoms while the virus runs its course.”

So, What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis, often called “pink eye,” is a common eye disease that may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or allergic reaction and can be highly contagious. Many times if you have a cold you might develop a simultaneous conjunctivitis. Cool compresses decrease swelling and itching. Artificial tears dilute the allergens and form a protective barrier over the surface of the eye. Rubbing the eyes makes symptoms worse and should be avoided.

When experiencing redness, sensitivity to light, swelling and/or discharge that makes your lids stick together, or pain, take a cue from Costas and make sure you seek out medical attention. Your course of treatment is dependent upon what you are suffering from—bacterial, viral, or allergic.

Feel free to contact us at 732-774-5566 if you need treatment. Our doctors will get you back on track with individualized treatment and follow-up. This past Sunday, Costas felt well enough to return to the studio while one of his replacements, Matt Lauer, covered for the last time. He returned last night for his prime time and late night hosting duties, thankful for the team who covered for him during his six day absence.

Dr. Senft recently presented an educational seminar titled, “Technology & The Eye,” where he discussed specific features of Reading Machines and e-Reader devices such as Kindle and iPad—including making Text Size Larger, Dictation, Voice-Over, Wireless Braille Displays, Zoom, White Text On Black Background –and how each can improve the reading experience for individuals suffering from low vision. These advanced technology tools allow people to be productive and engage their mind, even if vision is compromised.

In a similar vein, another wonderful opportunity to consider is talking books and Braille through the NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC). If you or someone you know has compromised vision, you may want to explore its many offerings. The library is a great resource for individuals or families who are searching for the means to exercise and challenge their minds despite their physical limitations. The offerings are only available to members, so please visit their website to learn about the process. (www.njsltbbc.org)

New Jersey residents may qualify for the program if their ability to read is affected by: a physical impairment, a reading disability, or a vision impairment.

Anyone who cannot read standard print, has difficulty holding a book, or has difficulty turning the pages of a book may qualify for TBBC’s services .TBBC, a division of the New Jersey State Library, is supported by funding from the State of New Jersey and the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act. TBBC is a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the U.S. Library of Congress. The New Jersey State Library is affiliated with Thomas Edison State College.

TBC offers a wide range of materials to satisfy the most avid readers. The Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD) allows members to download audiobooks, audio magazines, and Braille files. For user convenience, the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) mobile app is available on iPhones and iPads, and can be downloaded from Apple’s app store or from iTunes. Currently, there are over 25,000 audiobooks, 42 audio magazines, and numerous Braille files that can be downloaded from the BARD website.

BARD is a fantastic tool, but it isn’t the only resource out there. OneClickdigital has a media manager program that members can download to their computer. The media manager allows members to download and transfer audiobook files to their computer or to mp3 player. OneClickdigital apps for smartphones and tablets can be found by searching for ‘OneClickdigital’ in the app store you use for your smart device. Feel free to visit the website, as it is very educational and provides step by step videos and instructions to take advantage of whatever program best suits your needs.